ABS-CBN Interactive October 20, 2007
PNP chemist finds traces of 'C4 main component' in Makati blast
Traces of a military-type explosive were found in the explosion site in Makati City Friday that left nine people dead and 113 injured, radio dzMM reported Saturday.
DZMM reporter Jon Ibañez said a chemist of the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory confirmed to high-ranking government officials led by President Arroyo that RDX, the main component of C4, was found in the blast site.
Mrs. Arroyo, Vice President Noli de Castro, military officials and Cabinet members are holding a meeting in Camp Crame to discuss what cause the Friday's explosion and which group was responsible.
According to Wikipedia, RDX is widely used in the military and industrial applications. Another site, www.globalsecurity.org, describes RDX as having civilian use as well:
"RDX has both military and civilian applications. As a military explosive, RDX can be used alone as a base charge for detonators or mixed with another explosive such as TNT to form cyclotols, which produce a bursting charge for aerial bombs, mines, and torpedoes. Common military uses of RDX have been as an ingredient in plastic bonded explosives, or plastic explosives which have been used as explosive fill in almost all types of munition compounds. Civilian applications of RDX include use in fireworks, in demolition blocks, as a heating fuel for food rations, and as an occasional rodenticide. Combinations of RDX and HMX, another explosive, have been the chief ingredients in approximately 75 products." (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/explosives-nitramines.htm)
Ibañez also reported that after the chemist made the statement, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr. reported stood up and "whispered something" to the chemist.
Asked by dzMM anchor Angelo Palmones what Esperon could have told the chemise, Ibañez said that he had the impression that the AFP chief was reminding the chemist to be clear that the presence of RDX does not mean the presence of C4.
On Friday Reuters reported that police sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said traces of C4 plastic explosives were found at the location. The bomb appeared to have been left near a cellphone repair shop at the bottom of an escalator, they said.
National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, however, said that the report still needs verification.
The report came amid allegations from the camp of detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV that Gonzales and Esperon were responsible for the Friday’s explosion.
Trillanes’ camp said the incident was similar to "Oplan Greenbase," which allegedly included in its plan the bombing of the Davao international airport and the Sasa wharf in 2003.
It was allegedly planned to pass the blame on the armed separatist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the hope of driving them away from Liguasan marsh where a project of the government is located.
"Oplan Greenbase" was also one of the issues disclosed by junior officers involved in the failed 2003 Oakwood mutiny. They alleged that the plan was executed to give government a basis to impose strict measures and eventually justify the declaration of a state of emergency.
In an interview on ANC, Gonzales denied the allegations.
"Would you believe that? I think this is probably an opportunity to make an appeal to whatever group or individuals not to take advantage of this kind of situation," Gonzales said.
"This is a terrible incident. Let us set aside whatever speculation we have. We are looking into a possible terrorist attack," he said.
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